‘Women lose faith

New data shows more domestic abuse crimes are recorded in the city per head of population than anywhere else.

In past 12 months there were 168 cases per 10,000 people.

The figures have dropped slightly since last year when there were 177 cases, but a charity says that is not a positive thing.

Dundee Women’s Aid says despite the downward trend, it has not seen a drop in demand for its services.

Manager Mary Miller suggests the drop is down to issues around bringing perpetrators to justice.

Issues such as alleged perpetrators repeatedly breaching bail conditions and the court releasing them on bail have affected victims.

Ms Miller said: “One of the reasons (the rate) may have fallen is that women are losing confidence in the criminal justice process, therefore choose not to report to the police.

“Issues such as alleged perpetrators repeatedly breaching bail conditions and the court releasing them on bail time and time again have negatively impacted on victims.”

The charity also claims Covid has caused a large backlog in cases going to trial – which will worsen as defence solicitors boycott certain abuse cases.

The Scottish Solicitors Bar Association (SSBA) announced last week defence solicitors will be refusing certain domestic abuse cases from May 6.

It is part of an ongoing dispute between the SSBA and the Scottish Government, in which Legal Aid defence solicitors claim they are being underfunded and overworked.

They say some abuse cases are “inherently complex” and they are unable to cover them.

An SSBA spokesman said: “Our members no longer have the resources to cover this work under the current fee regime.

“We regret this will cause delays but the fault lies with the Scottish Government who have chosen not to fund the defence profession.

“The justice system does not